Man sentenced to 12 years for fatal stabbing on Metro train in Long Beach.
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison for the fatal stabbing of another individual during a confrontation on a Los Angeles Metro light-rail train, authorities confirmed. The incident, which took place four years ago, centered around an altercation that escalated violently aboard the train in Long Beach.
The individual sentenced, Akili Collins, was just 18 years old at the time of the incident. In September, he entered a no contest plea to a charge of voluntary manslaughter, which was a reduction from the original murder charge related to the death of 25-year-old Luis Fernando Polita from Los Angeles.
On April 12, 2023, Polita was traveling on the southbound Metro A (Blue) Line when Collins, alongside two companions, boarded the train after it had crossed into Long Beach. Eyewitness reports indicate that the trio confronted Polita, which led to a physical altercation. During this confrontation, one of Collins’ companions allegedly brandished a knife and inflicted multiple stab wounds on Polita.
Following the attack, the three men fled the scene as the train arrived at the downtown Long Beach station, located in the 100 block of East First Street. Emergency responders found Polita inside the train with severe stab wounds, and he was subsequently pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Law enforcement apprehended Collins and another suspect, Melake Daniel, roughly two days after the incident about a mile from where the altercation occurred. A third suspect, identified as Gael Cruz-Gonzalez from Compton, was arrested two months later at Los Angeles International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Mexico.
In addition to Collins’ sentencing, Daniel received a sentence of two years of probation after pleading no contest to being an accessory after the fact. Cruz-Gonzalez also accepted a plea deal, pleading no contest to assault with a deadly weapon, which resulted in a three-year prison sentence.
The motive behind the initial confrontation remains unclear, although authorities have indicated that the altercation started onboard the train. The tragic event underscores ongoing concerns regarding safety and violence on public transportation systems in urban areas.
As this case illustrates, the implications of such violent encounters can resonate throughout communities, prompting discussions on preventive measures and the importance of maintaining safety in public transit systems.
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